Blockade vow by 'stressed' cabbies
TAXI chiefs have threatened mass town centre demonstrations unless action is taken to cut the number of cabs on the road.
They claim there are too many licensed taxis around, leaving drivers struggling to make a living.
According to Neath Port Talbot Proprietors Association secretary Bob Hoyles, some cabbies were having to work 20-hour days and were left so exhausted there was the risk of an accident.
The association wants a moratorium on new hackney carriage licences being issued for the next five years.
But its plea to Neath Port Talbot Council could fail todayTUES after officers came out against the idea.
Mr Hoyles said: "If that happens, we will take some form of direct action.
"We will have to bring all 283 licensed taxis into Neath, Port Talbot and Pontardawe town centres in turn, just to show people how many cars there are on the road."
As well as taxis, there are licensed private hire vehicles competing for trade, which Mr Hoyles said took the total number of cars to more than 500 in an area as relatively small as Neath and Port Talbot.
But, making matters even worse, drivers licensed by other authorities are also moving into the area to try to make money.
All this has been compounded by the economic crisis, which has seen many people use public transport instead.
Today's registration and licensing committee will be recommended not to take the association's request any further.
However, Mr Hoyles said councillors have a duty of care to the taxi trade.
"Somewhere along the line, the council will have to accept responsibility for the accident that will inevitably happen," he said.
"I've got drivers working 20-hour shifts, not to make money, but just to survive — to feed their kids and keep a roof over their head.
"They are absolutely exhausted and something is going to happen.
"This situation cannot be allowed to continue."
Councillors will today be told about an Office of Fair Trading report concluding that limiting the number of taxis would reduce availability and lower the quality of service to the public.
8 Comments
by geoff, Westcross
Friday, August 21 2009, 8:13AM
“Some taxi drivers must have read what i wrote on the 18.08.09,because some are driving along chestnut at 25mph,and some are driving their normal 40 to 50.never mind "every little helps"”
by clare, Neath
Thursday, August 20 2009, 3:36PM
“I agree the number of taxi's on the road should be limited - what people commenting on here fail to understand is the cost of having the taxi on the road in the first place, before you make a wage from it.
A friend of mine was made redundant and became a taxi driver until he could find something else and it was horrific. Public liability insurance - £2000 a year. Taxi licence from the council £80, licence for the vehicle £110, CRB check, vehicle checks (several a year) annual fees etc etc. Tyres - owing to high milegage covered - changed every few weeks. High diesel prices all take their toll.
I notice most people commenting are in Swansea and not in Neath and I agree with the standard of driving of taxi's in Swansea - I have seen many go through red lights etc but have not seen this in Neath, although I have no doubt there are some drivers who should not be doing the job.
I know for a fact he worked a 70 hour week and was in profit of £120 - after being spewed over, threatened and had two runners. I don't know what the rates are in Swansea - these are set by your council and not Neath Port Talbot, which is what this story is about.”
by Richard, Swansea
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 8:35PM
“While I have some sympathy for the taxi drivers, I am against this kind of protectionism. Market forces should determine how many taxis there are on the road, simple as that. Almost all lines of work are subject to market forces, why should taxi drivers be protected?”
by geoff, Westcross
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 11:15AM
“Taxi drivers,stressed,HA! no wonder they are stressed, when you drive around like mr schumacker! Every hour of the day,"then you would get stressed"I remember an old lady getting knocked down,and killed,by a speeding taxi on carmarthen road some years ago now.I also see every day around westcross and mumbles, speeding taxi drivers.Especially,around the westcross avenue-chestnut avenue area.the police should put officers there in laybys,and catch some of speeders,"not only taxi drivers"Back to taxi drivers-They should be made to do less hours.What about tachographs for taxi as well as lorry drivers?!
ooh! that will get them moaning even more!!Listen seriously tho..If there was not enough trade about for them all,then,its simple,they just would not be in the job.20 HOURS-Thats just greed in my eyes!!”
by Matthew, Swansea
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 11:11AM
“I agree with J also about the cost. Taxi drivers are also making a rod for their own backs with their behaviour. If they continue to work stupid shifts and broadcast this then people are going to completely lose trust in them and their ability to offer a duty of care to the PAYING customers.”
by J, Swansea
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 10:53AM
“Drivers shouldnt be allowed to work 20 hours a day. Lorry drivers are monitored by tacographs - why shouldnt taxi drivers be the same - How can anyone driving 20 hours a day be safe to drive. To be honest I use taxis much less now as they are just too expensive. It costs me £30 to get home from Swansea (around 10 miles) and I just cant afford it. If they charged a reasonable price people would use them much more. My friend lives about 2 miles from me and it cost me £6 to get from her house to mine. It is ridiculous - I arrange for lifts now and dont pay anything whereas if they charged less I would use them more.”
by Izzy, Wales
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 10:08AM
“I haven't witnessed what Mathew has but I do agree that limits should be placed on the ammount of licences given out by any council.
As for the report from the Office of Fair Trading which concludied that - limiting the number of taxis would reduce availability and lower the quality of service to the public - I would say to members of the Council ignore the report and listen to the taxi drivers who are asking for your help.
The Council report was obviously going to say reject the limitation on taxi licences because every new taxi licence granted brings in more money for the Council.
Councillors do whats best for the taxi drivers that service Neath and Port talbot - not what officers of the council want - their only interest is generating more income.”
by Matthew, Swansea
Tuesday, August 18 2009, 9:42AM
“A cut in the number of taxis would be most welcome. They are the biggest threat to road safety in the area. On saturday night I was OVERTAKEN by a taxi in a 30 zone who had been flashing at me for presuming to keep to the speed limit and two weeks earlier I was almost knocked over by a taxi racing traffic lights near the Kingsway whilst the driver was speaking on a phone. Not to mention the one who was sitting at traffic lights in the Uplands smoking in his cab. If taxi drivers are working 20 hour shifts they need to be banned. Such irresponsible behaviour is going to put people's lives at risk and using the excuse of having to do it to make ends meet will not stand up in court when someone is killed.”